The recent issuance of the country’s first local Visa card by the United Capital Bank (UCB) Sudan has been described as a very commendable step in its financial sector. The UCB is planning to launch more Visa products for a growing customer base; Sudanese banks attracted about US 500 million dollars following the recent decision on the exchange rate.
Prime Minister, Dr. Abdalla Hamdok
According to the country’s Prime Minister, Dr. Abdalla Hamdok, the first Visa card issued in Sudan as a symbol of Sudan’s long-awaited reintegration in the global economy. Dr. Hamdok expressed his appreciation of the efforts exerted by UCB to comply with all the international standards required to issue the first Visa card in Sudan and described it as a great achievement. “This card and our recent economic decision on the unification of the exchange rate is testament to our resolve to take the necessary measures to develop our economy and reintegrate our country in the global economy. We are determined to continue the path of reform, build our economy, and attract foreign direct investments,” added Hamdok. The decision on the exchange rate resulted in curbing the currency black market and attracted about US 500 million dollars to the formal financial system in less than four weeks.
The Bank’s CEO, Yousif Ahmed El-Tinay said: “We take pride in presenting the first Visa card to the Prime Minister and we are privileged to be the first Sudanese bank to be able to issue the card. We understand the responsibility that comes with leadership and we fully realize that issuing the card is the first step towards building a complete ecosystem that drives electronic payments culture as well as financial inclusion. We are currently working on building this ecosystem to empower all our cardholders, merchants, and the country.”
Ahmed Gaber, Visa’s General Manager for North Africa, said: “We are pleased to be part of Sudan’s growth journey in the global economy, and we have been working closely with our partner, UCB, to provide their Visa cardholders with a reliable, convenient, and secure payment option that is accepted globally. Sudan is a promising market that is witnessing many positive economic developments, and we look forward to continue bringing Visa’s world class payment technology to support our partners and the Sudanese government in their drive towards achieving financial inclusion and economic growth for Sudan.”
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Crises define generations. It will be no different for the young people who are experiencing today’s pandemic – the cost of which for them, in mental, educational and labour terms, has reached $1.7 trillion globally – some 2% of global GDP. This generation will be scarred for life. Many baby boomers remember the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the ‘Summer of Love’ or where they were on September 11, 2001. In the same way, the young generation being affected by the coronavirus today will remember it in similar terms tomorrow. COVID-19 is scarring their lives – not only because of the death they are witnessing of distant and close family members or the strain caused by school closures, but because of the economic crisis it has caused as well.
Piotr Arak, Director of the Polish Economic Institute
For this young generation (known as Generation Z), which is still in school or just finishing college, this is their first major global event, so they lack a benchmark for how to respond or move forward in the way that older generations often do.
Baby boomers, born in an era of post-war optimism, have experienced many challenges over the years. They have survived wars, social change, political upheaval, and more. This might be why they are often seen as less worried about the pandemic than their children and grandchildren think that they should be. It is also because they have had time to accumulate wealth.
“War-like” trauma
The COVID-19 pandemic could go down in history as a war of sorts and is already being considered a ‘period event’ – which demographers use to help define generations.
According to UN data, school closures have affected 1.6 billion young people worldwide and significantly changed how they live and study.
Learning at school is not only about what takes place in the classroom. It also involves social gatherings which are an essential part of childhood development and can later influence socialization. One can therefore expect a decline in social skills among the younger generation as a consequence of the pandemic. There is no doubt that COVID-19 is causing additional stress, anxiety and loneliness, which not everyone can handle themselves.
As a result, a significant increase in demand for psychological care should be expected, especially when we take into account the critical role social interaction plays in social development. According to our estimates, the pandemic has increased mental health costs by $407 billion over the last year
Long-term scarring
According to the World Health Organization, older adults over the age of 60 are at the greatest risk of developing more severe complications due to COVID-19. But apart from its direct impact on human biology, which disproportionately impacts the older generation, the virus also has the potential to create a generation of socially awkward, insecure, and unemployable young people.
According to the International Labour Organization, more than one in six people between the ages of 18 and 29 has stopped working since the start of the pandemic. Furthermore, those who have not lost their jobs have nonetheless seen their working hours fall by 23%.
For the generation that came of age in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, this is a particularly heavy blow.
Now, just over ten years later, they face an even tougher road ahead, with an economy in lockdown and a severely disrupted job market, with no real end to the uncertainty in sight. This younger generation faces even larger hurdles in the job market than their older counterparts: low-paid and temporary employment in those sectors most severely affected by the crisis (restaurants, hotels, the gig economy, etc…) are jobs more often held by young people. According to the OECD, 35% of young people (aged 15–29) across OECD countries work in low-paid and insecure jobs, on average, compared to 15% for those aged 30–50 and 16% in the 51+ age groups, making younger people more vulnerable to job loss and driving up youth unemployment rates across the globe. This increase in youth unemployment has created a global economic cost of $1.3 trillion in lost earnings.
The pandemic is undoubtedly one of the biggest human capital crises in the world, reversing gains in human capital outcomes by exposing weaknesses in health, education, and labor market systems. In this context, the World Bank’s Human Capital Initiative, started just before the pandemic, can be viewed as a powerful weapon in helping us understand – and ultimately combat – the negative economic consequences of this pandemic. To address this “war-like” trauma, we need to work together and share best practices so that we do not prolong this crisis for the world’s youth.
Many young employees could face long-term, professional consequences, including beginning their careers lower on the job ladder and taking salaries lower than they might have expected in the early 2000s. This generation is truly unlucky to be entering the job market during a global recession. However, if we – the older generation – take heed and include this generation into our recovery efforts, we may just be able to infuse some luck into their future to overcome the bad breaks of the present.
Piotr Arak is the Director of the Polish Economic Institute. Formerly worked with the United Nations Development Programme, the Ministry of Administration and Digitisation, and the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
A leading real estate company in Nigeria has announced the launching of one of its biggest projects, and the first in the country – ISIMI Lagos. The Project which is situated on 124 hectares of land on the Northside of the Lekki Peninsula in Lagos is quite significant in that it will be a confluence between technology, architecture and nature. Coined from a Yoruba word, “ISIMI” translates to peace of mind and true to its name, ISIMI Lagos according to its promoters is an ode to the peace of mind it promises to give its future residents and visitors.
LandWey CEO Mr. Olawale Ayilara
“ISIMI Lagos will dramatically alter what we currently consider the norm in Lagos”, said LandWey CEO Mr. Olawale Ayilara. “It will be a living experience like none other. As soon as you walk in, you’ll just be able to feel your stress melt away.”
In character with the overarching theme of wellness, the city would adopt unorthodox means of commute; providing eco-friendly means of transportation such as hybrid electric vehicles and bicycles – and with the wide road networks within the city, transporting is a thrill. For more unconventional means of transport, the city sports a marina and a helipad, for residents who would rather fly or cruise.
One of the major attractions of the city is the Tech Valley, a spot for founders and investors to do their best work, says Mr. Ayilara who adds that “tech valley experience is to allow people to work on a short stay.”
“Staying in an environment like ISIMI enhances ideas. The tech valley has facilities that allow for short or long retreats.”
“It’ll allow people to stay as long as 3 months. It doesn’t feel like an office. People can invite investors there, instead of staying at hotels.”
When will this be ready? ISIMI Lagos would be built in phases with the first phase to be ready in the next five months.
Landwey is known for innovative and disruptive housing solutions, understanding the clients’ needs and then surpassing their expectations. With each project, Landwey redefines what home should be, look like and feel like, and with Isimi Lagos, the organization is set to take “wellness” to an astronomical new level.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Barely two years since it was launched in February 2019, South Africa’s TymeBank is ready for fierce competition with traditional banks. The country’s first digital bank has announced it had recently surpassed the 3 million customer mark, onboarding between 100,000 and 120,000 new customers per month.
“Financial institutions need to be responsive to consumer preferences. Banking customers are sensitive to costs impacting adversely on their financial health, particularly in these tough times. They also want to know exactly what they’re paying for and TymeBank’s simple, transparent, affordable banking offering is giving our 3 million customers what they want and need,” says CEO Tauriq Keeran regarding the recent milestone.
“With our focus on lower transaction costs and giving value to our customers, we can proudly say that we have enabled 100 million free transactions to date, which is timely given the current climate. This, plus the fact that we have never asked a customer to complete any paperwork, saves our customers money and makes their banking experience quick and convenient, right from the start,” he adds.
Tauriq Keeran is the CEO of TymeBank. Source: TymeBank
Here Is What You Need To Know
According to TymeBank, although the pace at which a customer can sign up is part of its fast onboarding process, the digital bank also attributes its huge adoption to the fact that it has no monthly banking fees and transaction costs that are 30 to 50 percent lower than those charged by other institutions.
With a customer base of more than 3 million acquired within a space of two years, TymeBank’s massive adoption rate in South Africa is unprecedented. As at June 2018, South African bank Capitec with 10.2 million customers topped the country’s entire banking industry in terms of number of active customers. This was followed by FNB at 8.15 million and the country’s largest bank by assets, Standard Bank at 8.12 million (this is despite the fact that Standard Bank, for instance, has been in existence since 1862).
Launched in 2019 by founders Coen Jonker, Rolf Eichweber, Tjaart van der Waalt, TymeBank is South Africa’s first digital bank. In February 2019, the bank launched its EveryDay transactional account bundled with a savings tool called GoalSave, its MoneyTransfer solution, and its TymeCoach App, which gives consumers free access to their credit report, supported by tips on how to make better decisions about the money.
Essentially, below are what the TymeBank product is bringing to the table:
The Bank Is Relying On Partnership As Its Strength Both For Money Deposit Or Withdrawal
TymeBank has created a network of partners including Pick n Pay and Boxer, with the former’s Smart Shopper program now fully embedded into TymeBank’s technology stack.
“We’ve partnered with companies whose business ethos aligns with what we want to do in the market, which is to do good. The customer will always be at the centre of our banking practices and going forward we will be doing some really exciting things with our partners, it will go way beyond just occupying floor space,” said Sandile Shabalala, TymeBank’s CEO who resigned in June, 2019.
The implication of joining forces with Pick n Pay and Boxer stores is that TymeBank now has access to a relatively significant distribution edge.
South Africa’s data-only mobile network Rain had also entered into a partnership deal with Tymebank to test the distribution of its SIM cards at Tyme kiosks, making it easier for its clients to sign up for a new service.
TymeBank’s Strategy Is Also To Make It Simple and Cheap For Customers
Indeed, signing up to the digital bank could cost little or nothing. No documents are required and no charges demanded.
To open an account, you need a South African ID number and a South African cellphone number, which the bank verifies through several questions and a One-Time PIN (OTP).
If the process is done at a kiosk, biometric data will be captured and compared to the data with Home Affairs, which is connected to the Tyme systems, and a free Visa debit card is issued immediately.
If done online, you will have access to your account, but it will be limited in how much you can transact until you go to a kiosk and “upgrade” your account (for free) to a full account through capturing biometric data and registering your residential address.
Getting a debit card is free and immediately.
Service Fee for new registration is free. There is no monthly account or withdrawal at Pick n Pay and Boxer stores, only R2 at other major retailers.
By July 2019, Customers Could Borrow From TymeBank Without Collateral
The digital bank also started piloting its unsecured term lending in July, 2019 and a credit card in partnership with consumer lending company RCS later in 2019. However, the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns put paid to the bank’s original plan to launch a standard unsecured lending product to customers in 2020
Instead, it has recently launched MoreTyme, a product which offers “interest-free shopping”, with customers paying half the price at the till point of partner retailers and the rest in two equal instalments over two months.
Up Next
TymeBank seems to be moving forward with its process by introducing new items to its existing portfolio.
“While our technology allows for exponential customer growth, our priority is to broaden our offering to include innovative credit and insurance products plus a variety of value-added services. We want to continue broadening access to banking for the benefit of the country’s consumers,” concludes Keraan.
The company’s recent growth has been remarkable, but with larger financial institutions pushing digital agendas as well, it will be important to see how long TymeBank will keep up this pace.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions. He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance. He is also an award-winning writer
The first intra-African trade transaction through blockchain technology worth $270 million has just been successfully completed between Morocco and Ethiopia, according to the Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP), one of the world’s leading phosphates fertilizer suppliers.
AfCFTA Secretariat
The first of its kind in Africa, the transaction involving the export of fertilizers from Morocco to Ethiopia was carried out thanks to the collaboration between Dltledgers, a company specializing in the digitization of trade and the Bank of Commerce and Development of East and Southern Africa (TDB).
“Dltledgers made available its technology allowing the transaction to be carried out digitally and the import-export process to be concluded in less than 2 hours against” paper “transactions which are rather finalized in 3 weeks or more because of the processes time-consuming transfer of physical documents via the traditional banking system,” a statement released by Dltledgers reads, in part.
Here Is What You Need To Know
For its part, TDB is responsible for providing the necessary funds to allow Ethiopia to import the fertilizers it needs to increase its agricultural production in the face of growing demand from its population, the second largest on the continent. African.
In the coming months, the OCP says it wants to increase its total trade transactions with Ethiopia to $400 million.
“This initiative is part of the Group’s digitalization strategy aimed at contributing in particular to reducing the trade finance gap in Africa and stimulating intra-African trade, in particular in the fertilizer sector, through the inclusion of digital,” indicates the Moroccan group.
In Ethiopia, OCP is working with state-owned Chemical Industries Corporation (CIC) to build a fertilizer production complex in Dire Dawa with a production capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per year.
Ethiopia currently imports half of its fertilizers from Morocco, and agriculture plays a vital role in the country’s economy.
It represents 31% of the country’s GDP and 66% of its labor market.
The OCP Group thus becomes the first African company to execute an intra-African commercial transaction using blockchain technology in the African agricultural sector.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions. He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance. He is also an award-winning writer
“Y’ Africa” TV show plans to assemble the best of Africa‘s talents in arts such as painters, photographers, sculptors, choreographers, stylists and musicians – African culture is packed with young talent from a wide range of disciplines. “Y’Africa”, a contraction of “Africa Ya lelo” or “Africa today” in Lingala, is a TV series which puts emerging artists in the spotlight.
Each episode presents a portrait of three artists who tell their story through their work, while acting as a guide to the cities where they live.
Alioune Ndiaye, CEO of Orange Africa and the Middle East
Developed by Orange the program aims to offer African culture, in all its forms, an opportunity to shine and to strengthen the local presence of the Orange brand in Africa.
Season 1 highlighted the diversity of African talent
Launched on February 6, season 1 of “Y’Africa” revealed the journeys of thirty-nine artists from ten different countries through thirteen episodes (each twenty-six minutes long). The documentary series was broadcast in 2020 on television channels in fifteen African countries.
The influencer [1] campaign carried out by Totem Experience, and a team of thirty-four, generated over 13 million post and story views with an exceptional level of engagement – three times the average.
The enthusiasm generated by “Y’Africa” on television and on the web led us to decline the first season in two original spin-offs this spring. Short portraits of the thirty-nine artists will be available on the Orange YouTube channel .
The thirteen television episodes will be adapted into a podcast which will be available on all the usual platforms.
The positive feedback, in the form of audience engagement on social networks and the enthusiasm of African TV channels, encouraged Orange to go again with a second season.
Season 2 of “Y’Africa” will be made up of eight new episodes (each twenty-six minutes long) presenting twenty-four artists from eight different countries: Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Tunisia.
The executive producer will once again be Fame Productions, and it will be directed by Dan Assayag. The concept remains the same: a dive into the journey of each artist who, through their portrait, also acts a guide to their city.
It is due to be broadcast in the same fifteen countries from fall 2021. Season 2 of “Y’Africa” will also receive a special broadcast on the Orange YouTube Channel. Additional exclusive content (long sequences, making-of, podcasts, etc.) will also be available online.
Highlighting the importance of the launch of the Season Two, Béatrice Mandine expressed her delight with the success of the first season of Y’Africa which drew a wide audience to these artist portraits and generated plenty of attention on social networks. Mandine, who is the Executive Director of Communications, Engagement and Brand at Orange Africa added that “this original concept proved its value through the quality of its content, a wide choice of artists and the emotions it inspired in viewers. Building on the very positive feedback we received, we are pressing ahead and are starting shooting for season 2.”
Read also:These Payments Companies Are Now Allowed To Carry Out International Money Transfer In Nigeria Speaking on the development, Alioune Ndiaye, CEO of Orange Africa and the Middle East said that the ‘”first season of Y’Africawas a great success. This audiovisual program showcases the richness of cultures and the creativity of African youth. The season 2 will enable us to discover new talented artists, I am looking forward to listening their testimonies”.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
The Jumeirah Group, a global luxury hospitality company, has announced the appointment of Ermanno Zanini to the role of Regional Vice President and General Manager of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, its flagship hotel in the United Arab Emirates.
In his new role, Ermanno will oversee all aspects of the global icon’s operations, building on his rich background to further cement the exceptional service that Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is renowned for. He will lead and support the team in its unwavering dedication to create unforgettable guest experiences, while maintaining oversight for Italy and Spain.
Ermanno Zanini
Ermanno joined the Jumeirah family in 2019 when the renowned Capri Palace in Italy was added to the Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts portfolio. Ermanno continued in his role as General Manager for this Mediterranean gem in Anacapri – a position which he has held since 2002 – while taking on additional responsibilities for Jumeirah Group as Regional Vice President for Italy and Spain. A native of Naples, Ermanno is a true globetrotter, with a strong passion for culinary excellence, having launched several Michelin starred restaurants including the renowned Il Riccio restaurant and beach club as well as the two-starred L’Olivo restaurant, both located in Capri Palace Jumeirah. He is also an art and photography connoisseur who enjoys discovering new talent, and championed Contemporary Art installations throughout the hotel to create an exceptional setting. During his time at Capri Palace Jumeirah, Ermanno also created a unique wellness destination within the property, with the patented vascular therapy ‘The Leg School’, conceptualised by Professor Francesco Canonaco, the Medical Director of Capri Beauty Farm.
As part of his role as RVP for Italy and Spain, Ermanno was instrumental in the successful seasonal re-opening of the stunning Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa in Mallorca, set within a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ermanno appointed Gianluca Priori as General Manager of this beautiful clifftop retreat, which boasts panoramic views of the mountains and sea. There too, the award-winning Talise Spa treatments have gained widespread recognition for the ultimate relaxation experience.
Fergus Stewart, Acting Chief Operating Officer of Jumeirah Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ermanno Zanini in his newest role as Regional Vice President and General Manager of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. In his new position, he will deliver the ethos of exceptional luxury at the iconic all-suite hotel where anything is possible together with his expert team, while ensuring successful operations for Italy and Spain.”
“Ermanno’s true passion for hospitality and gastronomy, and extensive expertise in the industry, will further elevate the guest experience at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah across dining service and wellness. We are extremely excited to embark on this new journey with him,” he added.
Commenting on his new role, Ermanno Zanini said: “Luxury to the sophisticated travellers – and to me – means living a transformational and intimate experience and being able to enrich ourselves and learn from it, which is exactly what Burj Al Arab Jumeirah offers. From the moment guests walk into the hotel, they are transported to a world of unparalleled luxury where memorable connections are made and anything is possible; I couldn’t be happier to be a part of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s family, and to embark on this enriching and exciting journey.”
Ermanno’s diverse career in hospitality began in 1993 with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, seeing him enthusiastically take on roles in F&B including Food & Beverage Manager at the Four Seasons Hotel Milan in 2002. In addition to holding the title of General Manager at Capri Palace, he also led the operations as Chief Commercial Officer from 2015 to 2017 for Mytha Hotel Anthology (Capri Palace’s managing entity at the time) for its collection of seven unique hotels located across Italy, Turkey, Croatia, and Spain.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the African Energy Chamber (AEC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on capacity building initiatives and standardization to enhance safety, environmental protection and sustainability in African countries producing natural gas and oil.
“API is pleased to collaborate with the AEC to expand use of our world-class standards and programs to help enhance the safety, transparency and sustainability of natural gas and oil operations across the African continent,” API Segment Standards and Services Vice President Alexa Burr said. “This is our first partnership with an African based organization, and we look forward to supporting AEC’s efforts to drive industry-wide technical knowledge.”
US-Africa committee Chair of the AEC Jude Kearney
The number of petroleum producing countries in Africa has increased substantially, coinciding with a movement across the continent to enact robust, equitable and imminently more transparent policies. This continent-wide pursuit to increase the technical capacity of local organizations is of paramount importance in these natural gas and oil economies. It will be vital for public and private representatives of African host economies to work with the international petroleum industry and help ensure the developmental needs of the local markets are met while maintaining policies that allow for oil sector investment in these economies and accelerating the adoption of industry practices that enhance safety and environmental protection.
The MOU will facilitate collaboration between API and AEC members in several areas, including: Development of training programs and seminars. Coordination, collaboration and sharing of the natural gas and oil industry’s good practices for environmental, health, safety, security and sustainability. Organization of joint forums, conferences, roundtables, workshops, about energy issues and the continued multifaceted uses of natural gas and in the world’s energy future
“Our association with API is a milestone for the work we do, and we are confident we will see American ingenuity – a key component of the partnership between African producing nations and IOCs – at its best,” US-Africa committee Chair of the AEC Jude Kearney said. “America has a tried, true and tested tradition of developing and deploying best-in-class standards, and industrial ingenuity to safely develop natural resources in America and around the globe. We also have a proud history of partnering with the earliest oil producing countries in Africa to create stable petroleum sectors and sustained economic contributions. Our goal is to work with the API to further support African nations and businesses to build technical capacity, harmonize standards and attract investment to help Africans monetize their resources and combat energy poverty while growing their economies while prioritizing safety and the environment.”
Given the economic and transformative potential which Africa’s natural gas and oil industry holds – including the focus on human capital growth, supply chain development and local and international partnerships for talent and infrastructure development – the AEC is determined to place this collaboration at the forefront of its mission.
API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd. a Pan-Africantelecommunications group with operations in Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced that its RP (Restructuring Plan) has been approved and agreed with the lenders.
Smile CommSmile Telecoms Holdings Ltd
This debt restructuring plan sees an injection in fresh money funding from Smile’s majority shareholder, the Al Nahla, and rescheduling on debt repayment until post-March 2022.
The fresh injection of $51m in funding for Operations will further enhance Smile’s position in its respective markets and energize Smile’s operations and support efforts towards achieving better performance.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Kezakoo, a Casablanca-based edtech startup, specialized in tutoring, has completed its first round of financing of 2 million dirhams ($221k) with the investment company Witamax One, which was jointly created by the Morocco-based investment firms Southbridge A&I and AXXAM Family Office.
With the investment, Kezatoo will complete and enrich the range of products which it currently offers for the benefit of all high school students in Morocco. The funding will also assist the startup to support its organizational development efforts.
Reda El Fakir is the Chief Operating Officer at Kezatoo
Launched in 2019 by the engineering duo Youssef Ghalem and Ahmed Lahlou, and currently managed by Reda El Fakir, the Moroccan Startup is a learning platform for high school students.
The startup has equally announced that it has crossed the threshold of 5 million unique users in Morocco on its completely free platform. It plans to roll out new features during the next school year 2021–2022.
This offer, which will cover the Moroccan high school program (Arabic and international stream, French option) would be more complete and improved, with teachers and nationally recognized content, and a dedicated mobile application.
In order to remain accessible to all learners from different social strata and regions, the kezakoo.com web platform and its mobile application will remain mainly free and at the same time offer additional features at affordable prices.
Kezakoo has set itself the goal of supporting 5 million Moroccan students each year over the next three years while partnering with renowned partners to achieve its vision.
Kezakoo’s vision is to support 100% of Moroccan students in their academic success thanks to its expertise in the field and the contribution of its various strategic partners
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions. He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance. He is also an award-winning writer
